This chapter is for my 700th reviewer, Sarah.
Chapter 28
Harry, Ron, and Ginny
Takes place in Harry Ron and Ginny's time
Ginny sat down in front of the Christmas tree. The soft glow of the light always brought a smile to her face, but this year it was hard.
She missed her best friend.
Yes, Hermione was her best friend. She'd been the one Ginny had confided to about Harry. Ginny had been the only one Hermione told about Viktor Krum. And if one had fought with their boyfriend the other was there with a box of tissues. They had been each other's support. After so many years with boys, Hermione had been a welcome addition to the Weasley family, even more so after she'd begun dating Ron.
Ginny smiled and remembered Hermione.
"Gin? Are you in here?" Hermione asked, poking her head into the dormitory.
"Right here," Ginny replied, folding clothes.
"Ginny, you'll never guess what happened," Hermione said, smiling.
Ginny turned to her. "What?"
"Viktor Krum asked me to the Yule Ball."
Ginny's mouth dropped open. "He didn't!"
Hermione gave a nervous giggle. "He did, and I'm still in shock."
Ginny climbed on Hermione's bed eagerly. "Tell, tell!"
Hermione clasped her hands together and smiled. "He had been going down to the library everyday and you know how annoyed I was getting by..."
"All the fangirls," Ginny finished. "I know."
"And he told me he'd been trying every day to try and talk to me, but he hadn't been able to pluck up the courage!"
"Really? Strong, brave Viktor Krum?"
"I just can't believe he likes me," Hermione confessed.
Ginny scoffed. "Hermione, Krum would be thick not to like you."
Hermione blushed. "Thanks, Gin."
Ginny sat against the pillows thoughtfully. "I wonder what Ron will say?" She smiled slyly. Hermione sighed. Ron was another story. Hermione knew deep in her heart that Ron liked her. She liked him too. But he kept beating around the bush.
"I don't know, Ginny. I would've liked to have gone with him, you know that, but...I just couldn't keep waiting."
Ginny's smile deepened. "I just can't wait to see his reaction. Maybe that'll get my brother off his arse. You still like him, don't you?"
Hermione thought about it. "I do, Ginny. But I am just so tired of waiting. Viktor is nice, and he's sweet, and he wants me. I couldn't say no."
Ginny clasped her hands together. "What do you think you'll wear?"
Hermione flushed. "I don't know! Oh, Gin, all we need now is for Harry to ask you."
Ginny's smile disappeared. "I don't think that will happen."
"Oh, come on," Hermione said encouragingly. "I'm sure he will."
"I think...I think I should try to move on now," Ginny said slowly, as if she had given it a great deal of thought. "Harry is not going to notice me anytime soon, and I can't waste my time wishing it were so."
Hermione sighed and leaned back into the pillow next to Ginny. "Why can't they ever see us for who we are, Ginny?"
Ginny shrugged. "What we are are two beautiful girls. They just have to figure it out. We won't help them, will we?"
"Definitely not," Hermione said with certainty. "We've put our feelings out there, now it's their turn."
Ginny lept off the bed and unearthed nail polish. "Want to?"
Hermione wrinkled her nose. "It's a waste of time, Gin. It'll come off in a few days. Last time you put a purple on me that looked so violent Ron asked if I'd slammed my fingers in the door."
"Oh, come on," Ginny said, climbing back onto Hermione's bed. "It's almost Christmas." She selected a discreet polish to mollify Hermione and set to work on her toes. The nail polish she used could change color, glitter, and even change to reflect mood. That was Katia's Magical Polish.
"Ginny?" Hermione said after a bit. "I've always meant to ask you. Back in second year, was that you who sent Harry the singing valentine?"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "No, that wasn't me. That was Fred and George. They'd been teasing me all year about my crush. And they thought it would be highly amusing if Harry were to receive a Singing Valentine."
"Oh, good," Hermione said in relief.
Ginny looked startled. "Why is that?"
"Because I was worried that you were so lovesick you couldn't even think of a proper poem without the words 'fresh-pickled toad.'"
Ginny wore a look of mock hurt. Then, slyly, she reached for the purple polish.
"Oh, no, you don't!" Hermione cried, and she tried to steal the polish back as they fell to the floor laughing.
Ginny smiled at the memory. She reached for a candle to light for Hermione.
Harry came up from behind her. Ginny jumped at first, but let Harry's arms encircle her. "What are you thinking about?" he whispered.
"Hermione," Ginny said simply.
Harry nodded, and thought of Hermione.
Harry sat near the fire, his eyes boring into it.
Hermione sat down beside him and handed him a cup of cocoa.
"Thanks," he said, putting the steaming cup to his lips.
"No problem. I feel like I never see you anymore." Hermione confessed.
"Because you've got Ron," Harry teased playfully.
She swatted him. "Yes, and now you have Ginny."
Harry sighed contentedly. "I still can't believe I got that lucky."
"I still can't believe you finally woke up after so long," Hermione teased.
He chuckled. "Gin's shown me the light. So, how's S.P.E.W. going?"
Hermione sipped her cocoa. "Very well, actually. I've recently taken to making dresses for the she-elves. They seem to like them." She beamed with pride, and Harry did not have the heart to tell her about seeing Dobby in a blue checkered dress only a few weeks ago.
"I hope Ron doesn't see us. He might get the wrong idea," Harry joked.
"Harry," Hermione said firmly, "You are my best friend. But the thought of doing anything romantic with you is rather repulsive."
Harry pretended to frown, then his frown turned into a smile. "Same here, believe me." "Besides, Ron is....Ron is so wonderful," Hermione said confidentially. "He's brave, kind, sensitive...." She spoke lovingly of him.
Harry cringed. "Hermione, I can't bear to hear such things about my best friend. I beg of you to stop."
They sat for a while sipping their cocoa. Finally Harry said, "Let's see it, then."
Hermione choked. "What?"
"The necklace, of course. The necklace Ron gave you. Ron spent ages looking for it."
"Oh." Hermione pulled the necklace out from inside her shirt and held it out to Harry.
"Can I see it more closely?" Harry asked in exasperation.
Hermione tried to pull it out further, then confessed sheepishly, "I don't want to take it off."
Harry looked as if he might laugh, but didn't. "Isn't it funny?" he said.
"What's funny?" Hermione asked, putting the necklace inside her shirt and patting it.
"I don't know. The way it all turned out for us. I never thought I'd find Ginny, or friends like you and Ron."
Hermione smiled. "We'll always be here for you."
Harry finished the memory with a small plea for Hermione's safety.
Ron stood behind them with a candle, apparently thinking along the same lines as his sister. As he placed it on the mantle a beautiful memory came to mind.
"Ronald, Crookshanks did not steal your socks!" Hermione yelled. It was another one of their spectacular arguments.
"Oh, yeah? Then why is my Chudley Cannons sock now being used as a tea cozy by that cat?"
"Oh, you refuse to see that Crookshanks is a good cat!" she yelled. He was maddening.
"HERMIONE!" Ron yelled.
"WHAT?" She yelled back.
"Don't you ever get tired of arguing?" he asked, and then he kissed her.
Hermione was so taken aback that at first she could not respond to the kiss. But she did not pull away. Ron pulled her toward him. The kiss was like coming home; it was comfort, it was lovely.
When they pulled apart both said nothing, trying to catch their breath.
"What was that?" Hermione asked.
Ron reddened. "I, er, I kissed you."
"What does this mean?" she asked.
"I guess it means...." Ron let out the feelings he'd held in since their fourth year. "I like you, Hermione."
Hermione's heart swelled. Ron, whom she bickered with. Ron, who had burped up slugs for her. Ron, who had just put into words what she'd wanted to hear since her first year.
"I like you too," Hermione said, with an uncharacteristic shyness.
"So, I guess this means....we're a couple?" Ron said tentatively.
A smile spread over Hermione's face. "I guess we are."
Ron took the candles and lit both of them.
"For Hermione," he said, "and for the task."
My beloved reviewers: Willow (aka WIFLFAG)Leonard? Do you mean that cute guy in HP? I saw POA! Hehe, dingbat. I was mad at first at the person but then you joked about it and I'm okay now. fuzzfurry Hi! So sorry I haven't done tys in a while. Keep reviewing, won't you? magic sparkle 1 yippee, I'm done w/finals! HyperonCookies wow! I made you cry? I'm honored, that means my story means something to you! Melissa yay! Made you cry! That must mean you like it!!! :) Fallen Angel....too lazy to type it all out, although I actually typed out more by saying I was too lazy Hehe, I rambled enough. Aw, I DIDN'T make you cry? :( Star of the Muses Why thanks! I do think my writing's a tad better than it was from chapter 1....I've learned a lot. element6 Yep, he's involved, of course. And he knows what the task is. nimbionic-no thanks!! I am so blessed by everyone's reviews. Puffy Marshmallow thanks! Seen POA yet? QOA I know, I know. Next time ok? POA! pyroprincess4rmeverwood aw, i know it's sad. Brace yourself. Rane2920072 A lot of drama! I hope this chapter was a bit more lighthearted. bunnysong This is post-OOTP because Hermione is 17. In the present time Sirius is dead. Everything that happened in OotP applies here. Moony's Angel Well, I've gotta keep Moony's Angel happy, so I'll try and fix it won't I? yoblossom thank you! Luna Gypsy I am!?! Wow! Thank you! I am honored. sparrowgurl66 I am glaf you hate it right now, that means you're really into it! Right? siriusforeva be glad that wasn't the task! And you'll find out why in a few chapters. just a random reader thank you! do you know any other stars associated with Sirius? In case I ever need a star name? tmrwspromise thank you! i finished them today and I am sooo happy! Can you tell? Sissiro well, you don't have to wait a week, here I am! Kelcey2007 I didn't think it was a cliffhanger.....hmm.... auditoriumnazi tell me what you think the task is! tsk tsk I don't think Sirius wants to be anywhere near Hermione right now...he's still in shock. Cybeleflame this chapter was a bit better, I hope! Captain Oblivious Oi SQUARED? No more math. Miss-Padfoot684 thanks! This is their biggest fight so far, and rightly so. imogenhmYes, threateningly is a word :) I think they will reunite. Who knows? Keaira Malfoy It was a cliffy? Really? Lol I didn't plan it that way. Sarah my 700th reviewer!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay! Keep guessing about the task! R.P. Weasley lol I was thinking of you when I wrote the Harry/Ginny in here...hope you didn't gag TOO much. meenyrocks a baby? Where'd you get that from? Yes I saw POA! I am a huge Ginny fan so it was great to see a bit of her! grins do you like ginny? Spinx class of 2008 Yes it is messy for her...she doesn't want to break a promise but she hurt Sirius in the process :( doughnut hehe, you should shoot for 800th reviewer now! saralilypotter Yes, I had wanted to make the breakup scene very tense, I hope I did all right. s.s. harry yes I hate Sirius crying too :( blondekat3 about the potion, i know it's a mistake, am too lazy to fix it. Actually, the werewolf thing is going to come up in a few chapters, never fear. I suppose hermione is a bit carried away in regards to severus, but it's sirius she loves, right? Lily Algrave thank you sooo much! Please keep reviewing! Midnight Firefly aw, I love you too! Hehe. Welp, I hope you figure out the task before Hermione does. Roxxie-Hart thanks! I do hope it isn't another cookie cutter fic. Gabrielle Madden-Lovato thanks! Keep reviewing! darkness-knight very good questions! I am trying to have a reason for Sirius and Severus' future actions (ie their loathing for each other) granger-girl thank you soo much! Lily-Skylo thanks for comforting Sirius. He needs it, sadly. Yes, it is up to her. It is her fault. Crystalhands you a tissue thanks for reviewing all those chapters! I am glad I kept you from math, ugh. There are going to be about 50 chapters. Aconite Symbolism–well the main one is the Indian Summer. It represents the state of Hermione and Sirius' relationship. When it was hot outside, their relationship was hot. When it began to cool, right after she began lying to him, is when their relationship and the weather cooled. Hope it makes sense. tori POA ROCKED! Yes dumbledore is headmaster. heartsthanks! SiLvErFaTeD thanks!!! Katie hands you a tissue